Tuesday, April 19, 2022

All Booked Up with Findlay Rowe

 


Okay book loving friends - we are kicking off something new with our pals at Findlay Rowe and we can't wait to share it with you. This has been in the works for months, and now it is finally here!

We are excited to invite you to a new book club...

ALL BOOKED UP WITH FINDLAY ROWE



All Booked Up with Findlay Rowe will be a book club with a few layers. Think of it as us giving you a book club to join, but also a way for you to host your own book club. Our goal is to give you a suggestion and a few book centered ideas/items to take home with you to your own book club. Or maybe even inspire you to start one of your own! 

And we knew just the book to kick it off...


When we saw that Dolly Parton teamed up with famed writer James Patterson to write a country music based mystery novel, we knew Run Rose Run was the perfect book to begin with. 

Dolly is the queen of the South, but we have to say...Audrey and Barbara are a close second. And with a store filled with southern goodies at our finger tips, putting together the first All Booked Up with Findlay Rowe was a piece of cake. 


ABOUT THE BOOK



FROM THE BACK COVER

From America’s most beloved superstar and its greatest storyteller—a thriller about a young singer-songwriter on the rise and on the run, and determined to do whatever it takes to survive.

Every song tells a story. 

She’s a star on the rise, singing about the hard life behind her. 

She’s also on the run. 
Find a future, lose a past. 

Nashville is where she’s come to claim her destiny.  It’s also where the darkness she’s fled might find her.  And destroy her. 

Run, Rose, Run is a novel glittering with danger and desire—a story that only America’s #1 beloved entertainer and its #1 bestselling author could have created.


OUR REVIEWS

Carrie BethI have always had a fascination with Dolly and couldn't wait to see what this book was all about.  I listened to it and for me that totally made the story.  Many of the characters are narrated by different people, including some big name country music starts including Dolly herself!  There was a bit of a mystery tied in to a story of the country music business and Nashville.  I found it all very entertaining!  If you enjoy country music I think you would love this book!

JenThe second I saw Dolly Parton wrote a book (and teamed up with James Patterson), I knew I’d want to read it! I was given a sneak peek at the audio book and it is so good too! Dolly narrates it with a cast of country music stars. RUN ROSE RUN is a fun, enjoyable suspense novel based on a character who turns into a country music star with the help of a legend. Secrets threaten the musicians career and life, but she takes a “no hold” back approach to following her dreams. The characters are fun and endearing, and I was totally sucked into the gossipy peek at behind the scenes Dolly seemed to sneak in as fiction. The book was just twisty enough with mystery and romance that it kept my attention. Mix that in with the witty banter and Dolly's humor and I never wanted it to stop. Here's hoping she has a few more novels up her sleeve. 

Audrey & Barbara's Review: Check the Findlay Rowe website and social channels to see what they thought of Dolly's debut novel!


GET BOOKED UP!

 You can find copies of Run Rose Run in store at Findlay Rowe as well as these fun items to pair with it for your own book club - whether it is a group or a club of one! 


RUN ROSE RUN BOOK CLUB IDEAS 

RUN ROSE RUN by Dolly Parton & James Patterson



Peepers! Reading Glasses
(These would make for a great book club gift!)

 Seagrass Glasswear
Tumbler + Wine Glasses  + Carafe
(Throw in some ice cubes and the drink of choice from the novel, bourbon, and you have yourself the perfect book themed cocktail for hosting! Would also make for a great book club gift!)


NOW GO READ THE BOOK AND COME BACK AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! 
IF YOU'VE ALREADY READ IT, SHARE WITH US! TIME TO GET ALL BOOKED UP!


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Friday, April 15, 2022

On-Trend Gifts For Teens {Athleisure Clothing They Love!}

Earlier this week I shared some cute on-trend jewelry and accessories that are great gifts ideas for teens and today is all about the athleisure clothes they love. 

Here is the thing...I know a lot of these items are expensive.  I know it is crazy to spend over $100 on a pair of sweatpants.  BUT, I also remember what it was like to be in middle school and just wanting to fit in. I am at a point in my life where I don't care about the labels and having what everyone else has, but when I was 13 you better believed I cared.  Like I have explained to my husband on numerous occasions, that is why I purchase these things for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas. Plus, the lucky thing for me is that my girls wear the same size now so they can share everything. 

That said, I've also found some great dupes for some of the items that I'm also sharing today!  My girls have some of the dupes and they are all great quality so only sharing the ones we personally own. 



These cropped tanks are super cute.  Linking a great dupe from Amazon HERE with over 16,000 reviews!  I bought one of these for my daughter's birthday and the quality is amazing!  The only difference is it is missing the logo.  

My girls are constantly swiping these from each other's rooms.  I've purchased several of the dupes from Amazon and they really are just as great! Shop HERE and see over 1,500 reviews. 

They love all the fun colors, but I will say my girls wear the white and black the most because they match all of their colored bottoms. 

Wish I would have known flair leggings were going to make a comeback because I would have saved all of mine from early 2000's.  These are super cute, super soft, and super on trend with the kids. 

Want to make a kid's day?  Gift them an Aviator Nation piece of clothing. Who knew a zip-up hoodie could make a kid so happy. Another great option is the Aviator Nation cropped sweatshirt

Notice a trend with the brands here??? It pained me to buy these at Christmas, but she has 100% gotten her wear out of them.  Super soft and runs true to size, but a little short. Also available HERE

These skirts are adorable and have built in shorts. The Amazon dupe looks EXACTLY THE SAME!!!  

So many cute colors, but the smaller sizes usually go quick.  My girls like the 2.5 inseam best. 

Another adorable shorts option that sort of looks like a skirt. Also nicknamed the butterfly shorts.  Lots of fun colors and lots of options for less than the original on Amazon. 
 
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Wednesday, April 13, 2022

On-Trend Gifts For Teens {Jewelry & Accessories}

My middle Mini Magnolia turned 13 this weekend! I can hardly believe she is a teenager.  

A friend and I were talking about gifts for our new teenagers and how they all really love having the "in" items to feel like they fit in with their friends.  We were comparing ideas so I thought I'd share some of our favorite on-trend gifts for teens in case anyone else was looking for ideas. I had lots and lots of suggestions so decided to break it up into a few different parts.  Today is all about some fun jewelry and accessories. 

1. Smiley Face Trucker Hats 
Summer is coming!  These are fun for the beach and the pool. Another cute option HERE.

These cute necklaces come in several different colors! 

Not only the ultimate mom bag, but teens love these bags, too! The perfect size for a sleepover or for the beach. Tons available on Amazon, but we love supporting a local mom owned business, Lolly Luella! She has some really cute ones! 

Last week I shared all about the Stoney Clover Ln stuff at Target and the personalized letter patch trend is everywhere!  Judith March has a lot of great options and some super things you can personalize with the letter patches at a much more affordable price tag. 

This was one of the top things on my daughter's birthday list.  Everyone loves a good bracelet stack and these come in a bunch of different colors. I did a turquoise and off white for my daughter.  

Want to complete the bracelet stack?  These gold beaded bracelets are a great addition to the E Newton ones for a fraction of the price. 

Even though my girls are driving yet, they love these keyring bracelets.  They can keep a little card pouch attached for their gift cards/money/etc. 

These are a great everyday sneaker that will match all the Lulu! My daughter has these and raves about how comfortable they are.  Plus, she loves everything to match so the neutral colors are great. 

This is when wearing the same size as my girls comes in handy. These adorable sneakers are the perfect addition to any cute outfit.  They look darling with denim shorts, casual dresses, or skirts! 

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Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Spring Fashion with Findlay Rowe

 Spring might be our favorite season for fashion. Everything is warming up, and brighter colors start to emerge in our wardrobes - after a winter full of black and fleece, it's refreshing. And just like our homes, we've felt the need to do a little spring updating. 

We've made our way to the usual retail favorites to check on trends and pick up a few new staples here and there, but one of our favorite places for spring fashion finds is Findlay Rowe! We usually share them for their fabulous home decor and gifts, but they have a great section dedicated to fashion. 

From on trend accessories, to fun dresses, to on trend sneakers - they have it all!

Here is a quick peek at just a few of our favorite looks. 


Spring Fashion with Findlay Rowe

All items head to toe are from Findlay Rowe! 












Items are updated on Findlay Rowe's website daily, and are constantly fully stocked in their two locations. If you are one of our out of town readers, just email them and they can ship any item you see to you! 


WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE SPRING LOOK? 


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Thursday, April 7, 2022

Tips for a Well Styled Entryway


Spring is here in full swing, and over the last few weeks we've tried to tackle some home refreshing projects we've had on the brain. Carrie Beth was able to finish her daughter's desk makeover, and it looks SO GOOD! Jen has been trying to wrap up her dining room redecorating project (reveal coming soon!), and we both decided that our entry ways needed a little sprucing up. 

The entryway is the first thing people are greeted with when they enter your home, and it tends to set the stage for how they view your living spaces. From smell to organization, we want out guests to have a welcomed feeling when they enter our homes. But, we also want it to look good. That's where we enlisted the big guns. We knew just who to get advice from!


We chatted with a stylist from Casabella about tips for having a well styled entryway. She was so helpful, and with the many furniture, lamps and accessory items available onsite we were able to put all our new knowledge to good use at home!


TIPS FOR A WELL STYLED ENTRYWAY

Create a focal point. 
Think console table - this will serve as your anchor for the space. There are so many options for entryway tables that you can have so major fun picking out what you want as the focal point of your room. Think of your decor style and try to purchase a console table that will reflect that.


Things to keep in mind: Do you want it opened or have storage that can be hidden from guests? Also measure your space, and choose a console table that fits your entryway. 

We found a number of sizes on hand at Casabella. Even some great small space options that were gorgeous!!




Go Big! 
Add a large mirror or piece of art over the console table. This piece of advice was consistent amongst all of the onsite staff at Casabella. The use of one large piece over the console rather than a grouping of several small pieces seems to the the trend right now. It helps to enlarge the scale of the room, as well as look more polished/less cluttered. Seeing it in person - we love this concept! 




Add florals. 
This creates a sense of warmth for the room, and can be an easy seasonal item you can change out without having to redecorate the entire space. 



Light it up!
The more well lit the space the better. If you opted out of a mirror for added light, think lamps. Lamps are an easy way to add balance your your entry table as well as add more light to a room. 



Things to keep in mind: Go for lamps with multiple lighting settings. You will be able to adjust the lighting according to mood. 




Add personality. 
This is your chance to be bold. Add seasonal accessories or a fun pop of color. Go bright and bold with your art. Choose a funky mirror. Favorite books, a fun piece of art, an artifact from a family vacation...the options are endless when it comes to making this space a little more "you", and a little less hotel feeling, but still looking well designed. 



 
Think about storage. 
You want this space tidy. Having drawers in your console to keep the space clean or having baskets available for shoes, umbrellas, or purses.



Personally, we tend to lean towards the "hiding our messes" options of furniture, but love the idea of an open concept table as well. Maybe one day we will be that level of organized. One day. 



Seating. 
If the space is big enough you can add a bench or a chair for more texture and for guests to utilize for additional temporary storage or shoe removal.


For more home decor options visit Casabella in person. Their designers and staff are very helpful and if you bring pictures in of your space or measurements, are easily able to show you what will work within your budget and space with what they have on hand. It is SO NICE to be able to have that level of customer service and personal design experience at your finger tips.



DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS TO ADD? SHARE WITH US!


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Monday, April 4, 2022

Everyday Organizing for Busy Moms {Declutter}

Happy April!!!  A new month means a new themed calendar photo!  

April is a big month for us with lots of big events happening. Spring Break, The Masters, my middle's 13th birthday, a baseball tournament, high school cheer tryouts, Easter and The Summit cheerleading competition.  Whew...I'm just tried thinking about it and I know it's going to fly by because we will be so busy all month long. 


When our family is super busy the house can often get super messy.  Things get thrown around in the rush to go from one thing to the next and "stuff" on counters and tables starts to make me go bananas. I have come to learn that having my house neat and orderly makes me feel calmer while clutter around my house makes me feel anxious and out of sorts. That's not to say I don't have messy areas in the house, but they are contained and often out of sight! 


1. Have a place for everything: One of the best ways I have found to combat the clutter is to have a place for everything.  My kids are constantly unable to find things and I always tell them if they put it back where it belongs they wouldn't have trouble finding it. 

2. Sort mail/papers immediately: Another thing I find helpful is to sort mail and school papers as soon as they come in the house. Junk mail immediately gets thrown in the trash, bills get put in my planner for the date they need to be paid, coupons I might use get put in my purse and papers from school with information or reminders I need get put on my pin board. 

3. Let the decluttering trickle to your kids: Chances are your kids are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to the junk. I try to get my kids on board with helping declutter and while it doesn't always come natural to them sometimes I just make them do it. We have cubbies in our mudroom that tend to always start overflowing with stuff and I also make them clean and organized their rooms at least once a week. 

4. Get rid of the stuff: For some this is easier said than done, but cleaning out items you don't use on a regular basis can help free up space and make your house less cluttered. There are certainly sentimental items that I hold on to that I probably shouldn't, but overall I'm good with being done with an item and either throwing stuff away or donating items on a regular basis.

5. Keep a donate bag/bin: I keep a large donate bag in my closet that I use to put clothes/shoes the kids have outgrown, household items I don't use anymore, or anything else I want to donate.  When the bag is full I go drop it off and start a new bag.

6. Don't forget your car: If you are anything like me, you probably spend a lot of time in your car. The car can quickly become a mess and filled with clutter.  I try to grab trash everytime I get out of the car and ask my kids to take in anything that they have brought to the car that doesn't belong there. 

How do you combat the clutter in your homes?  

EVERYDAY ORGANIZING FOR BUSY MOMS 

January {Keep a Family Calendar}

February {To-Do Lists} 

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Saturday, April 2, 2022

Stoney Clover Ln + Target

As if we needed another reason to love Target.  They've partnered with another designer for a collaboration that anyone with teen girls is sure to love!  Stoney Clover Lane is known for their adorable accessories. What's even cuter is that so many of their items can be personalized with letters and cute patches.  Like many of Target's designer collaborations the items are MUCH more affordable than it would normally be. Because of that may items will go very fast! This line was released today and many items are already sold out, but there is still some great stuff left and I've linked some of my favorites that are currently still available online! 

1. Koozies  ($5)

2. Transparent Zipper Pouch  ($15)

3. Tie-Dye Sandals ($10)

4. SWIM Patch Set  ($20)

5. Beach Towel  ($20)

6. Brush  ($5)

7. Terry Cloth Backpack ($30)

8. Travel Pillow ($12)

9. AirPod Case ($10)

10. Stainless Steel Tumbler ($10)

11. STUFF Patch Set ($20)

12. Journal ($5)

If you can't find what you want online I definitely reccomend checking your local stores, because I was able to snag some great items that are out of stock online!  Also, be sure to check back next week because as people begin to get their online orders some things will be returned to the stores so you can find new items on the shelves that might not have been there before.  

I'm so excited about what I got for my girls. I'm putting most of it in their Easter Baskets and I also a few things to hang onto for birthday gifts for some of their friends.  Happy Shopping! 

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Friday, April 1, 2022

Book Club: March 2022

 

April 1st!!!  We can hardly believe it.  2022 is flying by and there are no April Fools jokes around here today, but we do have our latest book club and are excited to share what we read last month. 




WHAT WE READ...

CARRIE BETH


First up for me was Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult. Jen told me about this book around Christmas so it's been on my list for a while.  I finally got to start on it and immediately got sucked in.  The entire book focuses around Covid and it honestly brought back so many memories of those early days when the world shut down, everyone was on lockdown, and no-one knew what to expect.  Because a lot of those emotions and experiences are still so fresh in peoples minds I think this book will really hit home with a lot of people.  The first half of the story is about a couple who is planning a trip and right before the lockdown the doctor in the relationship has to stay behind to work and the art dealer heads on to the Galapagos Islands.  The story follows her experience being in a foreign land when everything is shut down and virtually being cut off from the rest of the world.  She was expecting to get engaged on this trip so when her boyfriend sends her emails of his experience back at home in the trenches of the early days of Covid she has a multitude of thoughts and emotions.  

Without giving it away I can say that just when I thought I knew how the story is going to play out there is a MAJOR plot twist that completely threw me for a loop.  I spent the next few chapters coming to grips with the new reality of the characters.  

This book really made me think and brought back a ton of memories from this early days of Covid lockdown.  I would definitely recommend it!  

The next book for me this month was Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson.  I have always had a fascination with Dolly and couldn't wait to see what this book was all about.  I listened to it and for me that totally made the story.  Many of the characters are narrated by different people, including some big name country music starts including Dolly herself!  There was a bit of a mystery tied in to a story of the country music business and Nashville.  I found it all very entertaining!  If you enjoy country music I think you would love this book!



JEN

Looking back how busy March was, I can't believe how many books I was able to sneak in. Thank goodness for audio books! 


First up for the month was Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. When I saw that Dolly wrote a book I scooped it right up. I'll give my review in a few weeks because we have something fun we are doing with this one. But, I promise if you go ahead and read it, I won't be mad at you. 

Spoiler Alert: It's good! Like really good! 

Dolly can do no wrong.



Money. Hidden secrets. Drama. Would I Lie to You? centers around the thought of what people do to fit in and the lengths they are willing to go. Faiza is thrown into a world of wealth and keeping up with the Jones', and in turn has to go to extreme lengths in order to do so. With one simple phone call and life decision, her whole world starts to crumble. The books follows Faiza as she tries to cover her secrets and fix her mistakes without her husband finding out. At first I was not a fan of Faiza and her character annoyed me. But as I read on with the story, I grew to like her more and more. The novel has a beautiful twist to it that makes you appreciate the growth Faiza experiences. I'm not sure what I would categorize this novel as. Maybe dramatic suspense? It's an enjoyable read and one that moves quickly!



Someone suggested this YA novel, and I wish I could remember who to thank them. If He Had Been With Me was a quick read, and while the beginning kind of told you what was going to happen, I couldn't put down the book. It covers young friendship, love, break-ups, angst, depression, family dram and all the other trials and tribulations teens go through during their high school years. The end of the book was a little rushed, but at the same time as readers we had already been told what would happen in the first few pages. Even knowing that though, the ending is a doozy and I was completely wrecked. I'm not sure my emotions could have handled another chapter.



One Italian Summer made me want to eat pasta, drink wine, and book a ticket to Italy ASAP. Okay, when don’t I want to do that?! It’s a beautiful story of a relationship between a mother and daughter, but told in the most unique of ways. Serle’s books always have a magical twist to them, but are told in such a way you feel as if it could be real.

Katy’s journey to Italy after the loss of her mother is a soul searching one. With no job, a troubled marriage, and experiencing major grief - Katy realizes she needs some sort of major life change, but does her time in Italy become more transformative than she expected?

I loved this story and quickly it’s become one of my favorites I’ve read this year. I also loved reading the letters from the author at the end! I don’t want to do any spoilers, but they lend to a different kind of magic authors sometimes have. Now to dream more about soaking in the sun and eating pizza along the Amalfi Coast …



I loved One Day in December, so when I saw there was a new book by the same author, I instantly added it to my cart. I was expecting a rom-com, but One Night on the Island was so much deeper. And actually, while romance is a portion of the book, the story covers so much more ground. 

Two people land on Salvation island for completely different reasons. Unfortunately they end up booking the same cottage, and there's no way to make alternate arrangements. For weeks on end they are forced to live together and neither one is really happy about it. 

Slowly over time their friendship builds, and so does their love of the island. I don't want to give anything away, but the island changes their original life paths forever. The ending is not what I was expecting, but was still a beautiful way to end this book. 

At times the novel moved a little slow for me, but over all I really enjoyed it. 



WHAT'S UP NEXT...

CARRIE BETH

Lucky for me I've got some road trip time planned in the next few weeks so I'm excited to get to work my way through a list of books I've been wanting to tackle for a while. 


First up for me is All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata. 


JEN

I'm kicking off the month with a little something lighter. Spring Break is next week, and I am in the mood for "beach reads". 

I loved the first book in this series, and can't wait to dig into Hook Line and Sinker


WHAT DID YOU READ LAST MONTH? ANYTHING YOU LOVED THAT WE SHOULD PUT ON OUR READING LISTS? SHARE WITH US!


BOOK CLUB 2022

January | February |

BEST BOOKS OF 2021


Follow along with us on Goodreads!

HAPPY READING! 


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