I’m so excited to carry on with the room reveals and share our kitchen and breakfast room with you guys!
I’ll never forget walking into this kitchen for the first time. I truly could not imagine myself living in a home with this much storage, these kinds of appliances, a big farmhouse sink, could it actually be my life? After so many apartments and temporary living situations, I honestly stopped dreaming about homes like this because I didn’t want to set myself up for disappointment.
But after my mom and I walked through this home when I was only a few months pregnant, it was hard to compare anything else to it. It was so much more than I had dreamt of. I could envision Christian and I chasing our children through these rooms, cooking dinner while listening to the crackle of the fireplace… it was everything and more.
I love this kitchen. I love this home. And I am so, so grateful that the previous owner had such wonderful taste and we didn’t have to remodel it ourselves!
breakfast room: rug c/o Annie Selke, love this one | table and wooden chairs – custom, similar here and here | slipcovered dining chairs – old and no longer available, similar style here | pendant light c/o Craftmade, also love this one and this one | pet portraits – Karen Williams and Streater Spencer | framed chalkboard – custom | platter and dome – wedding gift, love this one and this one | plant stand – antique, love this one and this one
The breakfast room table is especially important to me because my mom had it made when we lived in Nashville. I grew up eating every single dinner with my family at this table. Then my sister had it in her home for her family. When she decided to get a bigger table, she offered it to me and I knew it would be perfect for this room. It has secret napkin drawers and I know we will create so many moments at this table that already holds so many memories.
The kitchen was completely remodeled by the previous owner. She has excellent taste and a great eye, so I am beyond appreciative and grateful that we can benefit from that. Because of this, I don’t have the details on the specifics of the countertops, backsplash, etc., but I’ve listed what I do know above. Anything that is available online is linked! If it’s not listed, it’s only because the item was a gift, it’s very old or was not purchased online.
You can see more home content and room reveals, including our living room, Hudson’s nursery and my office, in the “Home” category of this site. And our bedroom is up next!
Happy Friday! I am still reeling from all of the incredibly moving feedback in Monday’s post. Truth be told, it was something that I had intended to keep private. But now that I’ve shared it, I know I was led to share it for a reason. I’ve now read over 500 personal experiences and stories on the topic, and what’s wild is that they’re all unique. The one thing they have in common is that mothers know what works best for their children and themselves. And that is always a wonderful reminder.
I made this recipe earlier this week and it was really good. It also heats up well! I didn’t get dibs since Christian ate most of it in two days… but when he eats all the leftovers that fast I consider it a compliment to the chef!
I am so excited that Bombshell is finally available for rent, I’ve been wanting to see it for months! I also recently started The Outsider on HBO per my parents recommendation and whoa. It stays with you. VERY spooky. And someone on Instagram told me that it was filmed thirty miles away from where I live, so we’ll see if I get any sleep this weekend. Why would I do this to myself!? SPOOKY.
I can’t go without mentioning The Real Housewives of NJ finale. I was glued to the TV, speechless. It felt like such a monumental moment after watching these families for so many years. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers if you haven’t seen it yet, but if you have – I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend – XO –
I get a lot of questions about my skin and skincare (thank you for the compliment!). I always share that I genuinely think skin is heavily genetic… my mom has great skin and I am lucky that I feel she passed that onto me.
BUT I do take care of it. I have always been militant with washing my face, no matter how many martinis my night may or may not have involved! I love a heavy night cream and starting using serums and facial oils as soon as I heard of them.
It’s my job to try new products, and because of that I don’t necessarily have a solid “five products” I always use. I am always trying new things, but I wanted to break down the typesof products I always have in my cabinet along with some of my favorite brands in each category. There are a few different options for different price points.
And of course you’ll find many additional skincare posts in the “beauty” category of this site! To shop these items simply click on the image below or click on its correlating number below.
I reach for a lighter weight moisturizer in the mornings and save my thicker soft creams for evenings.
I wear Tula most often, sometimes with a drop or two of a face oil.
5 | PM Moisturizer
I’m all about a thick night cream while sleeping. I will sometimes mix a few drops of my facial oil into my moisturizer in the evenings as well (or this gradual self-tanner).
I am ALL ABOUT using facial oils, body oils, all the oils. I will sometimes skip my AM moisturizer and just use 4-5 drops of facial oil. Other times I will add 1-2 drops into my moisturizer.
I try to use a face mask on Sundays, but sometimes it ends up being every other week.
I love Tula’s Exfoliating Mask and Sulwhasoo sheet masks. It’s nice to have an exfoliant but it’s much faster to just throw on a sheet mask and then massage that serum into your skin without the messy washing off process.
Extras
For blemishes, I always trust Mario Badescu. If I catch a blemish before it’s full-force, this will usually nip it before it really comes to surface.
I hope that isn’t too overwhelming! And it should be a reminder that skincare doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. I heard a rumor recently that La Mer and Nivea Creme had a lot of similar ingredients. Like… say what now!? Don’t forget you can get 15% off ALL Tula products with the code KATHLEENBARNES.
A few weeks ago I briefly shared on Instagram Stories that I had stopped breastfeeding. I have been surprised at how many people I don’t personally know have asked me daily if I’m still breastfeeding… it’s such a personal topic and one that I wouldn’t consider asking someone unless I knew them well. It’s on par with asking someone how much weight they’ve gained during pregnancy (which I finally answered here, available if you search “weight gain” on this site). Maybe this is just me, but I don’t think we should ask anyone we don’t personally know about their weight or breasts.
Some questions we can ask: How are you? How can I help? Or even a statement like: You’re doing a great job. Your baby is precious. How amazing it must be that you are everything he knows. Moving on!
To be honest, it wasn’t a topic I planned on discussing because I would prefer to keep my opinions to myself because it isso personal. However, I don’t think the questions will stop until I address it, so here we are! Let’s just put it all out on the table.
I was hesitant to share I had stopped breastfeeding because I wasn’t willing to take on the potential judgement and opinions. Every mother puts their child’s best interests before their own. It’s our instinct. But you can’t take care of someone else if you’re not taking care of yourself. And I feel it’s my job to share the struggle I had with breastfeeding because the friends who were supportive of me and sounding boards during this process literally got me through those first months. And it’s my job as a woman to pay it forward as they did for me.
I breastfed Hudson for two months and the first six or so weeks were exclusively until I had to begin supplementing because my production wasn’t keeping up. I tried lactation cookies, supplements, drinking tons of water, eating plenty of calories, I cut all dairy from my own diet for over a month, I tried the HaaKaa pump, my own breast pump, talking to my lactation consultant many times, all the things.
The truth? I loathed every second of it.
First of all, it was painful. When my supply came in I was in more pain than my contractions. Christian jokes that I didn’t break a sweat when I gave birth. I shared Hudson’s birth story here, but I was dilated 8cm when I checked into the hospital and truly enjoyed the experience. Based on this fact alone, I like to think my pain tolerance is pretty high.
I had alarms set for when it was time to feed Hudson (every 2-3 hours), and I would have this pit in my stomach every time it went off. I felt the dreaded hours I spent feeding every day were actually keeping me from fully bonding with my baby rather than make me feel closer to him. I couldn’t help but resent him for this physical pain and continued hormonal imbalance that made me feel so frustrated and in pain. He had a great latch and I still struggled to enjoy it.
It must be mentioned that Hudson also had colic for weeks 2-11 and we tried everything. Nothing worked except time and patience. I think this topic deserves its own post once I feel we are totally in the clear, but wow. I mean, wow. That was a journey on its own, and I do think it was a big contributor to not enjoying the additional struggle of breastfeeding. Trying to learn how to best soothe him was exhausting enough, on top of the breastfeeding struggles and always having my laptop in front of me. Oh yeah, and also taking care of postpartum self… which always naturally came last.
While breastfeeding, I felt trapped in my house and lonely being the only one who could feed my baby. While Christian slept soundly each night, I was awake, topless and tired in a dark room breastfeeding our son. I know for some, breastfeeding is so much easier. No bottles to pack, you can just whip it out and voila! But for others it is so much harder than that. I was never comfortable breastfeeding in public and would just sit in my car or even worse, not leave the house at all. I had such a short window I could get anything done before my chest began to ache or he began to fuss and I would just think, “how can we live our lives like this?”
My goal for six months of breastfeeding quickly dissipated to three. But once I had to start supplementing I was doing double the work. Breastfeeding for hours a day while also feeding him bottles, finding time to pump and then to the sink to wash all the bottles, tubes and parts… all while still trying to maintain somewhat of a workflow with emails and deadlines. I would be feeding Hudson while calculating the hours I was spending breastfeeding in my head. And the answer is around three hours a day which is over 20 hours a week… which is a part-time job. On top of a full-time job.
It was much harder to remember to eat enough calories and drink enough water because I was spending so much time breastfeeding. The irony is that I had so much more time once I stopped breastfeeding to get those calories in!
With a medical professional as a spouse, it was important to Christian that Hudson be breastfed and I wanted to honor that. We were both breastfed for eight months or more. After all, isn’t this what is best for our baby?
I went to my six week follow-up with my OB and I had to fill out a postpartum survey. She sat down with me and told me that while I didn’t fall in the postpartum depression category, she still wanted to discuss some of my responses to the survey. While chatting with her, it was quickly determined that breastfeeding was making me dread the day and that time spent with Hudson. She simply said, “so why not stop?”
Why not stop? Why continue something that was clearly making me miserable and not even working for us?
So I went home and declared to Christian I would breastfeed until two months and then I was stopping. It wasn’t a discussion, it was a statement. He didn’t love my attitude, but I didn’t care. This was something I was doing for Hudson and even more importantly, for myself.
And I stopped breastfeeding at eight weeks. I also stopped crying every day. I stopped dreading feeding my baby. In fact, Christian and I often jokingly fight over who gets to feed Hudson at night! Which is a complete 180! I stopped dreading getting dressed every day, as I apparently had little to no breastfeeding-convenient clothes. I got to wear loose dresses and clothing that actually fits my postpartum body rather than what works for breastfeeding. I also stopped complaining incessantly to Christian. I was happier all around, and he could see that. Now we both realize that it wasn’t working and letting it go was absolutely the right choice for us.
I am so much happier. Hudson is happier because he’s fed more food which means he focuses while eating instead of shaking his head out of frustration. When we leave the house, I just toss a bottle of water and formula in my bag and we can go do anything, anywhere because I feel confident bottle feeding in public. And anyone can help me feed him if I am busy working or need a break. Which means a few nights a week Christian takes monitor duty at night and I get to sleep without worry.
It works best for us and I feel clearheaded emotionally and mentally which helps me be a more present mother to my son.
I also want to share that my sisters, mom and several friends have breastfed without any of this heartache and struggle. They also took more time away from work or fully focused on their baby rather than returning to their prior career. For some it is a beautiful experience that only deepens the bond between mother and baby. And if you are one of those women, I love that for you! How great that must be.
I now realize that I should have taken more of a break from work. My job is unique in that sharing my life is my business. Because of that, to disconnect for three months would be particularly challenging. I wasn’t sure how exactly to step back for that long (and I still don’t know how I would do this). Therefore I was trying to be on email, answer reader questions every day, take calls and maintain somewhat of a work flow and that just doesn’t work when you’re breastfeeding a colicky newborn (and trying to find some time to take care of yourself postpartum). Perhaps if I had found a way to take an “official” two or three month maternity leave (paid or unpaid, it’s a gift!) I could have focused more on keeping my supply up and the experience would have been less stressful. Or perhaps not? During the hard days, going to my office and shutting the door was my escape and rejuvenated me. And on many days, I really needed that.
For our next child, I am going to try to figure out how to take more time off and will try breastfeeding again. But you don’t know what you haven’t experienced! I also didn’t know Hudson would have colic and cry all day. I was told newborns slept all day. Thankfully he has been an amazing nighttime sleeper from the jump and loves his crib (his nursery and crib are shared here), but that boy has some pipes! I regularly thank God we live in a house and not our previous city apartment as I would genuinely worry we would get evicted due to noise complaints.
I wanted to share my story to other women out there who have felt this way. You’re not alone. You’re never alone in your thoughts or feelings. Another mother has felt that exact same way. And you will find what works best for your family. Hudson is now a happy, formula-fed baby and his parents are happy too… except when they argue over who gets to feed him. What a prince!
I’m here for you. We are all here for you! Just as those women were there for me. You got this, mama.
Thanks so much for reading – I would love to hear your experience if you tried breastfeeding and are open to sharing. But if not, that’s ok too. I get it – it’s personal!! XO –
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 –
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.
