Carrie Bradshaw Lied

National Fragrance Day with Votivo

I don’t know a girl who doesn’t love a good candle. When the sun is setting, there are two things I always do when I’m home – turn on our patio bistro lights and light a candle. I’ve gone as far as to bring a small candle and matches with me when I travel. And I’m always glad that I have them when I remember to bring them!

Today is actually National Fragrance Day and I’ve teamed up with Votivo to share some of the ways I like to incorporate candles and diffusers in our home. I first noticed Votivo at Nordstrom, and when I ventured over to their website to see their vast collection of fragrances, I saw this gorgeous mercury glass candle in red currant. I had to have it. It smells so luxurious and the aroma literally fills the entire downstairs of our townhouse. It is heavenly!

I have linked every candle and diffuser I have of theirs below, but I have to chat about the Fragrance Mist in Honeysuckle. It smells so fresh, and I love to spray it in our room at night after we’ve showered. Climbing into fresh sheets in a room that smells like honeysuckle? All I need is for Southern Charm to start back already and I’m back in the South.

I also love that the candles are a soy-blend wax, and Votivo is offering a fun giveaway to two CBL readers, so scroll down to see how you can enter!

photos by Christian Barnes

AND to celebrate National Fragrance Day, Votivo is offer 15% off all purchases through 3/21 with code VTFRAGRANCEDAY17.

Tell me if you’re candle-obsessed like me! And if you want your own Votivo candle, two CBL readers will win their own Votivo set valued at $75!

To enter:

1) Comment on this blog post with your favorite candle scent.

2) Follow CBL on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (and share your username in the comment!).

Update 3/31: The winners are… Nichole and Rachel!! They have been contacted and will be claiming their prize. Thank you so much to everyone who entered – more fun giveaways soon! XO –

Brought to you by Votivo

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Navy Jumpsuit

This navy jumpsuit from Banana Republic is such a versatile spring piece for day to night wear. It is perfectly appropriate for most work offices, but add a bold lip and the right clutch, and you can definitely take it to a date night level!

Spring is such an energizing shift from winter, both emotionally and environmentally. The extra hour of daylight (!!), sunshine, flowers, pastels – it’s such a fresh change. With that comes spring cleaning, and some of the spring staples I like to always have in my closet are great pants (both skinny and wide leg), dresses, light sweaters and classic outwear pieces (like a trench coat and denim jacket).

Banana Republic is a great place to stock up on crisp classics and their spring selection is serving some major seasonal inspo!

photos by Vincent Elejorde

jumpsuit c/o Banana Republic, also love this one and these pants | clutch c/o Banana Republic | similar heels here and here | similar cuff here, here and here | similar sunglasses

Brought to you by Banana Republic

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Friday’s Five

– trying a new eye product from one of my favorite skincare brands, Dermalogica –

– a sparkly new tea kettle that makes me want to drink more tea –

– happy hour on the patio –

– the smell of a fresh basil plant –

– packing for NYC –

Happy Friday! This week has breezed by all too quickly, and I’m writing this update from chilly New York. It’s been in the 70s/80s all week in California, so here’s to hoping we don’t get sick from the intense weather/time change. Whenever I come to NY I usually get sick… I don’t know what that’s about! It’s worth it though, who doesn’t love this city!?

I spent most of the week working ahead so I could unplug with C during this long weekend trip for his work. With the delightful time change, I spent most late afternoons taking walks with Bailey and then finishing up blog posts with John Mayer‘s latest cd and a glass of pinot grigio under the bistro lights on our patio. We ate dinner outside every night this week, and our little patio remains one of my favorite spots of our house.

I am STOKED that S-Town is finally being released and we got to hear a preview this week! I think I have withdrawals from Sarah Koenig’s voice. I know it will be amazing, and the days are numbered until I can binge the series (and listen to those amazing Alabama accents, that’s one of my favorite things about the Up and Vanished podcast!).

This is only Christian’s third time in NYC, so I’m hoping to show him a good time. He’s definitely more of a beach boy/outdoorsy guy, so city life is not really his thing. He is most excited to walk around in Central Park because he didn’t get around to it during his first two visits. If it was warmer I would rent bikes so we could bike but regardless, I’m determined to show him why I love this place so much!

Anyone have any plans this weekend? I’d love to hear! Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend – XO –

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Bodycon LBD

Something about this dress is giving me major 90’s vibes, and I’m digging it. Christian (and probably every other guy out there) loves when I opt for a bodycon dress, but I’m really particular about the style because it’s not worth being self-conscious. The most important thing to remember when putting together every outfit is, “do I feel good in this?” Confidence is everything and what pulls off any look!

This LBD from Nordstrom is the perfect bodycon dress for me because of the ruching in the front. It adds a little camouflage, and the length and fit allows for smoothing undergarments if you really don’t want to worry about anything being out of place. Not into bodycon? No worries, I linked several other fab midi dress choices from Nordstrom below!

Or you can add a black vest if you don’t want to show off too much…

photos by Vincent Elejorde

I really recommend this slinky LBD if you’re looking for something bodycon, but I think the other options I linked above from Nordstrom are great options too!

Thanks so much for reading, and if you have a favorite LBD I’d love to hear what makes it so special! XO –

Brought to you by Nordstrom

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White Crochet Maxi Dress

Is there anything fresher than a crisp white dress!? I love the combo of fabric, length and bell sleeves (!!!) on this Venus maxi dress, and I know I’ll be packing it for an upcoming girls trip to Cabo.

When packing for a tropical vacation, I try to bring solid pieces. That way I can accessorize and wear them differently throughout the trip to minimize the weight of my suitcase. I think this dress would look so great with lace-up flat sandals and a big beach hat for daytime or you can dress it up like I did in these photos for a night out.

But I can already tell I’ll only be able to wear this dress once during my vacation because I know one of the girls is going to want to borrow it! No worries, I’m linking two more vacation-ready styles below –

photos by Christian Barnes

maxi dress c/o Venus, currently on sale! I also love this one and this one (also on sale!) | love these strappy sandals

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

Brought to you by Venus

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Lace Maxi Dress

This feels like the perfect spring combo – a blush maxi dress with a suede moto jacket to balance out the feminine lace. Spring is a time when we all can’t wait to change up some of the pieces in our closet but still need an extra layer because it’s not fully warm yet.

This is an example of how to get through the season! Find a few great layering pieces like this moto jacket, this faux leather jacket or this denim piece (also love this one). You can pull out all your favorite spring pieces and layer them up to create your own spring style. Dressing for the weather always trumps everything else – no one looks cute when they’re shivering or sweating!

I’m sharing a few more dresses that I think would look great with this moto jacket below –

photos by Vincent Elejorde

Do you have any spring dresses that you can’t wait to wear? Or is it warm enough where you live that you’re already pulling out spring styles?

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Red Culotte Jumpsuit

I think red is a major power color. It makes a statement all on its own, and pair that with a bada$$ culotte jumpsuit, and we are on another level!

This is a piece I would put on when I want to make an impression. If your small up top, it’s a great pick for you because it shows off your waist with the pleat detailing and adds pockets and coverage on the bottom (that’s a win for me!).

photos by Vincent Elejorde

If you’re a Real Housewives of NY fan, doesn’t this look like something Bethenny would wear! Skinny Girl Red!! Thank you guys for reading – XO –

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Friday’s Five

– the best faux fiddle leaf fig tree I’ve ever seen –

– adding a few MacKenzie Childs pieces to our kitchen and falling in love with this classic bowl –

– new blush mules that are going to be spring staples –

– the most gorgeous silk pajamas that almost feel too pretty to wear –

– a successful 30th birthday party for Christian (balloons here) –

I don’t know how it happened exactly, but after C bought me the most beautiful fiddle leaf fig tree for our wedding anniversary several years ago, I slowly morphed into the plant lady. I have numerous succulents, citrus trees and herbs on our patio and three potted plants downstairs that I tend to like extra pets. I water them on Fridays and whenever I travel without C he always wakes up to texts from me on Friday, “don’t forget about the plants!!”

The one above came from Silk Plants Direct, and it’s the first faux potted plant I have had. From the beginning I thought a plant would look so great in our shared office, but the room doesn’t get as much natural light as other rooms in our house so I didn’t think a plant would survive. This one was the perfect choice, and it brings so much color and vibrancy into the space.

I had some catching up to do this week because I spent the weekend celebrating Christian’s birthday and totally unplugged. The poor guy had to take a standardized test for his residency program on his 30th birthday from 7:30 – 4:30, so sad!! He studied the night before, but after his test it was on. We had a huge group go to dinner together and everyone came back to our house for what felt a little more like a 21st birthday party. It was awesome, and it made me so happy to see Christian so happy! He’s a reserved guy but loves a good party. I discovered this when we got engaged and discussed our wedding for the first time. I wanted 25 people in Mexico… he was like, “but I want a big party with all of our friends and family.” It threw me for a real loop!

He had a great night, and it ended with one of the first year residents who is from Hawaii reluctantly teaching everyone how to hula after much begging. It’s actually a lot harder than you would think!

I’m going to be working over the weekend but C is on call and has some work to do himself… so it looks like we’ll be winding down with some laptops and Homeland. I’ll definitely be spending a few hours at the pool if it stays as sunny and warm as the weather report says it’s going to be (insert praise hands).

Any big weekend plans for you guys? And I’m almost done with season 1 of Homeland – and hooked. I know I’m really late to this game, but do you guys watch this show?

Thanks for reading and sharing! XO –

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Whole30: Days 18-31

Soooo… it’s been a minute since I shared an update on Whole30 and my progress. I shared the first post here and the second post here. Well, that’s because…

I failed this time.

We spent a weekend in February at Terranea Resort and a weekend in Palm Springs. To be frank, it was too challenging to maintain and I fell off the wagon. I thought I could do it, I even called both hotels ahead of time to see if they had mini fridges and brought some of my own fruit and snacks. BUT, a little butter in my potatoes here, a piece of flatbread there and before I knew it, I was still eating pretty healthy but definitely not Whole30-approved.

I knew I would be having the occasional wine during the month but I wanted to be totally honest (as I always try to be on CBL) that by cheating a little during our vacation, it carried into the week once I got home.

SO, this is my final update… my failure! I think some people are able to do Whole30 while traveling and kudos to you – you’re my superhero. For me, I really learned this time that this eating program can only be done when I have 30 days without travel. It adds so much stress to what can be already stressful when it comes to traveling, so I learned my boundaries.

This recipe above can be found here, and I went cheese-free and it was still so good! On to the next! Thanks so much for reading, and if you have any tips for eating well during vacationing, I’d love to hear! XO –

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Spring Break Wish List

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Can you believe it’s time to start thinking (or dreaming) about Spring Break!? That time of year where you’re ready for spring and summer pieces but it’s still a little too chilly for a full fledged beach ensemble.

I bought these shorts and have been wearing them a lot. I like them so much so that I also bought them in black! I have these earrings and these, and I wear them alllll the time (like here). This tasseled pair comes in multiple colors and looks really lightweight and comfortable. Perfect to glam up any look!

Do you have any travel plans this spring? I am heading to New York twice this month and somewhere tropical in April and May, but I’ve really enjoyed saying no to travel the past few months and staying parked in California. I really think I needed this downtime, and I haven’t felt this refreshed in quite a while. So hey – there are definitely some perks in staying home!

Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –

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Summer’s Must Have Shorts

Summer… can you hear me!? This is my last blog post from Palm Springs, and it has me so ready for warmer weather! I can’t complain about our cooler winter in California (and by “cooler” I mean 60 degrees when it’s usually 70), but a long weekend in the desert felt good on my skin.

I’ve got a sunny trip on my calendar next month, and I’ve had so much fun dreaming of swimsuits and beach bags – I’ll be sharing more soon!

In the meantime, this off the shoulder top will be in my suitcase, along with plenty of cutoff shorts like these. I’m linking another pair I recently bought and love below (I wore them here)!

photos by Ashley LaPrade

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Everday Block Heels

I couldn’t love block heels more. They are insanely more comfortable than stilettos, and I’ll always prefer a heel to a wedge. Combine a block heel with a neutral peep toe, and I’m in.

I styled these with a midi dress and moto vest (consignment store steal), but I think they’d look so cute with boyfriend jeans and a tee or off-the-shoulder sweater. They’re so versatile and more comfortable than most of my flats. Seriously! They have something called “heel rest” technology, which means the design distributes your body weight toward your heel and away from the ball of your foot. Try it for yourself and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

And if this pair isn’t your speed, Aerosoles has several block heel options that are perfect for spring, like this pair. So cute! You can check out their spring trend guide here.