I usually do these yearly roundups before the new year, but I didn’t quite get it into my calendar. Better late than never. It’s one of my favorite traditions– this is my twelfth year doing it– and I love looking back on past years to see how things change. Here are my favorites from 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,…
It has been chilly here. I don’t know if it’s the pandemic time warp or what but I don’t remember it getting this cold, this early?! We had a few days in a row where it was in the 30s (albeit high) every morning and I was *this close* to turning the heat on. (Our heat is…
A few years ago I read The Little Book of Hygge and it really resonated with me. This is going to sound dramatic but I actually think it changed my life because it made me rethink winter. Not that I *love* winter, but I enjoy it a whole lot more with a new “hygge attitude.” I…
A reader named May recently reached out to share her wedding with me and agreed to write a guest post for the blog today! I’ve been hearing from a lot of you guys about rescheduling and/or planning weddings during the pandemic and May and I agreed that it was helpful to hear how other couples…
I have been meaning to put together a list of books that are great mental escapes. Should, you know, find yourself in the middle of a pandemic and unable to concentrate while reading as you normally would. I’m including a brief description! Trying to remember But I went through every book I’ve read since college…
I wish I could wear ballet flats year round. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case in the winter months. (I do try to push the limits of this as much as I can though.) Instead of my beloved flats, I have a collection of winter boots that I love. These are all boots that I swear…
I’m looking into getting a new pair of sneakers. Now… I have the intention of getting into somewhat of a running routine (starting April 1… maybe?). Even if the running doesn’t happen, which it never does for too long for me, I do want a cute pair of sneakers to wear on the weekends, while…
We’re already on our way back from Charleston. It truly was a quick road trip, but honestly quite a bit of fun. When a trip includes 15+ hours in an RV one-way you know it’s going to be fun, right?! It was the best change of scenery, right as we’re nearing the end of winter….
It’s crazy that I have yet to meet Nicole and Lauren in person. I feel like I know them. They’re such fun and creative girls and I just love seeing what kinds of new projects and products they come up with. They were the creative geniuses behind the decorations at my Washington, DC meet and…
Nothing says summer to me like finally being able to have dinner outside with our friends. We are gearing up for al fresco dining with @mackenziechilds pieces in their iconic Royal Check– the blue and white pattern couldn’t be more “me” and fits in perfectly with my summertime aesthetic. I especially love that each #mackenziechilds handcrafted piece has a unique signature of its own and no two pieces are identical. Don’t forget to use my exclusive code CARLYROYAL15 to save 15% off for the next 48 hours. Valid once per shopper. #MCPartner #RoyalCheckCollection
Move over coastal grandmother, it’s going to be a red hot summer for me ❤️💃🏻🔥 I am love-love-loving red lately and I am incorporating the hue more and more into my everyday outfits. It’s a little bolder than I typically go for and, even though I’m three months postpartum, I’m feelin’ it! 👉🏻 Leave a comment saying “red” and I’ll send you the links to my outfits featured in the Reel!
My little roar-bear and I made it through the fourth trimester together 🧸 These past twelve weeks have flown by. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that we only just met- I feel like I have known Rory my whole life.
I have been calling myself a Chill Mom™️ since having Jack and now I’m realizing that I’m even chiller with Rory. (Like is birth order really less about sibling order and more about the version of mom you’re born to?) I’ve been just rolling with Rory’s infancy and I’m so much happier. Maybe it’s just that I’m more tired with a toddler too, or know that it’s going to go by so fast, or just have more confidence… probably a combination. I feel less obsessive and less stressed out by the details. I’m “making it” without having to fake it. As an example, today I noticed I hadn’t tracked a single nap- just watching sleepy cues and trying to get to a “good enough” pattern as Rory’s naps consolidate. Is he following a ~perfect~ nap schedule? No. Are we thriving? Frankly, yes!
(If you want to read my original Chill Mom post, comment “chill mom” and l’ll send it to you via DM!)
We came, we saw elephants, we ate ice cream 🐘🦒🦓 @ashleybrooke and I always talk about how we became FAST friends. Somehow we have been right there with each other during some of life’s worst moments… so it’s extra sweet that we now get to celebrate the good ones! Watching our boys play together, a little baby in a stroller, and another baby on the way… it’s everything we dreamed of.
