Love is in the air! Get in the spirit with these really awesome gift and style ideas -handpicked by me!
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by!
-Morrell
Valentines Style and Gift Guide
in GIFT GUIDES
Modern Farmhouse Christmas Decor Guide
in HOLIDAY, GIFT GUIDES
I am obsessed with these Farmhouse finds for my house this holiday season! Some of these items, I’ve decorated with for years! Check them out and take part in some final Cyber Monday Sales!
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by!
-Morrell
Daycare Pack List
in BABY
Hi friends, It has been a while since I have written. I enjoyed a short summer break with my baby and it was so wonderful. I tried my best to soak in every second.
This week, Aubrey will start daycare for the first time. Lance has been dropping him every morning because it is closest to his office. That has also been good for me because sometimes I feel like my heart can’t handle it. Hitting milestones over here!
As a working mom, I am now getting acclimated to the daycare world and learned quickly what we needed to send with Aubrey. I have compiled a list of cool ideas and must-haves that I learned from friends, such as the bottle labels, which have been super helpful.
Enjoy!
Daily Bag
Stuffed toy for nap time
Bibs
Bottles, cups ( all labeled) see below
Food and snacks if necessary
Eating Utinsels if nesssary
Monthly Bag
Diapers (large container)
Wipes (large container)
Formula
Spare pacifier (if they take it)
Extra clothing for accidents
Bibs
Bedding if needed
Medications (if permitted)- Aubrey takes Motrin for teething
Amazon Summer Fashion Picks 2021
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
Tips for Creating Your Fashionable Minimalist Travel Wardrobe
in LIFESTYLE
The women's fashion industry continues to be profitable, as Statista data estimates that this industry's revenue in 2019 alone was $187.76 billion. Women prioritize remaining fashionable for any occasion, whether a casual night out or a trip abroad. However, heavy luggage fees can quickly weigh you down if you’re traveling, so it would be best to explore the minimalist travel wardrobe idea. If you want to know more about packing lightly without sacrificing style, please consider these points.
Invest in quality pieces
Fast fashion now dominates the clothing industry, making them more readily available than ever before. However, many of these pieces don't last long, with the Clean Clothes Campaign estimating that three out of five fast fashion items end up in landfills. The minimalist lifestyle advocates excellence over quantity, so invest in quality, versatile items for your travel wardrobe.
High-grade clothing will endure wear and tear, several washing machine cycles and still, look good as new each time you wear them. As such, quality clothing will last longer than anything you purchase from fast fashion outlets, although you’ll pay slightly more upfront. Therefore, invest in items like a three-in-one jacket, blanket scarf, wrinkle-resistant clothes, among others. This way, you can pack lightly for your trip when helping your wallet and the environment in the long term.
Select coordinating travel clothes
Packing coordinating clothes is another essential tip to remember when putting your travel wardrobe together. Many people take clothing for each day of their travels, throwing in an extra pair of heels or a dress "just in case." However, the beauty of an authentic minimalist travel wardrobe is that everything can be matched and mixed. Therefore, instead of eight distinct outfits, you can pack eight to ten pieces that go together irrespective of how you pair them. You can achieve this by following the famous neutral rule, where you wear all neutral on the bottom or top, leaving room for color in every outfit. You can also select complementary colors like blue and orange, which match surprisingly well when paired together.
Create an ultralight packing list
In minimalist travel, there’s room for only absolute essentials. As such, the first thing many fashion experts recommend when creating your minimalist travel wardrobe is an ultralight packing list. This will prevent you from overpacking, allowing you to bring along high-priority items only. Your packing list will be unique to you because everyone has their particular needs, so keep this in mind when creating yours.
Layer your clothes for style and warmth
It’s no secret that clothes you can wear in layers are perfect for a lightweight travel wardrobe. Dressing in layers allows you to easily accommodate varying temperature and climate changes while on the move. For example, you can put on a T-shirt or tank top in warm and cool climates. In freezing temperatures, you can also quickly wear a sweater or jacket to keep warm. Consequently, prioritize dressing in layers to enjoy more flexibility when traveling in different climates.
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
3 Rules Of Farmhouse Decor You Need To Follow
in HOME
The farmhouse style was one of the most popular decor trends in 2020 and it is here to stay. It’s a beautiful, inviting way to decorate your home and create a relaxing environment. But people often get farmhouse decor wrong and they think that it is interchangeable with rustic. However, farmhouse decor is an excellent blend of some rustic elements with some modern ones to create something that is both nostalgic and fresh, and vibrant at the same time. This can be a tricky balance to get right, but when you do, the results are amazing. If you want to introduce farmhouse decor to your home, make sure to follow these rules.
Bring Nature Inside
Bringing nature into the home is central to creating a farmhouse look in your home, and there are a number of ways to do this. Firstly, you need to create a good flow of light and fresh air throughout the home. In the summer, it’s easy to do this by throwing a few windows open, but in the winter, you are reliant on your HVAC system. If you haven’t had it checked for a while, call a 24 Hour AC Repair company and have it checked over. An old HVAC system could be pumping out stale air instead of the fresh air that is so important to your farmhouse atmosphere.
Adding plants to your home is another simple way to incorporate nature, but you have to be careful about the kind of plants you use. Tropical plants can look great in the home, but they don’t fit with the farmhouse aesthetic. Instead, you should use eucalyptus or olive branches in ceramic pots.
Finally, make use of as many natural materials as you can. Opt for wooden surfaces and furniture instead of metal where possible, and try to avoid anything plastic if you can.
Blend Old And New
When choosing furniture and fixtures for your home, you should blend the old with the new. Take these farmhouse lighting options, for example. While many of them have a traditional chandelier style, they have a modern feel to them, but not so much that it ruins the farmhouse aesthetic. Upcycled furniture that still retains a lot of its traditional features is also perfect in a farmhouse setting.
Invest In Craftsmanship
Farmhouse decor is all about high-quality craftsmanship, not cheap, mass-produced furniture. If you want to get the look right, you need to be prepared to invest in craftsmanship and buy good quality wooden furniture and have real hardwood floors installed if you don’t already have them. Although upcycling does work well with farmhouse decor, you need to look for traditional pieces that are well-built but need a bit of care and attention.
You have a lot of room for experimentation with farmhouse decor, which is one of the great things about it. If you chose to follow these three recommendations, it should turn out great!
From my closet to yours, Thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
Personalize Valentine's Day with ONecklace
in HOLIDAY, GIFT GUIDES
Valentine’s day is just around the corner and jewelry is always a great option for your S.O.S.!
Jewelry is very personal to me. It should tell your story. oNecklace helps me tell my story. Today I am wearing my name just like Carrie Bradshaw on Sex in the City (one of my favorite characters ever) with the Classic Name necklace and my son’s initials on the Delicate Initial Disc Necklace. I love wearing a piece of him when I am away. It gives me a warm feeling.
These pieces from oNecklace are so special to me. I know would it make the perfect personalized gift for your special Valentine’s. Plus, we southern girls are crazy about personalization and monograms. oNecklace has many gorgeous monogram options that come in several metal colors as well. If you want to go big, oNecklace even offers their pieces in 24K gold.
oNecklace is having a huge V-day sale with up to 40% off!
You can also use my code “Morrell20” for 20% off. Order now to get your gift before V-day!
From my closest to yours, thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
#sponsored #onecklace
Amazon Gift Guide (Get all of these shipped to you before Christmas!)
in GIFT GUIDES
Shipped to you before Christmas!
Read MoreGift Guide for the Glam Girl ( A beauty lover's dream)
in GIFT GUIDES
From my closet to yours. thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
Gift Ideas for Babies and Kids
in GIFT GUIDES
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
Gifts for the Fashionista
in GIFT GUIDES
From my closet to yours.
-M
$100 and Under Gift Guide
in HOLIDAY, GIFT GUIDES
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by!
-Morrell
Our Baby's Nursery
in BABY
Sharing all things Farmhouse Nursery.
Hi everyone! I can’t believe we are only 3 weeks away from meeting our baby boy, Aubrey Tatum. We are more ready than ever and the nursery finally is complete!
Read MoreWhat's in my Hospital Bag
in BABY
Hey gals! We only have about 5 weeks left until we meet our baby boy! Yep, I said it, 5 weeks!!!
It just doesn’t seem real. I am kind of sad that this chapter of our lives are closing but also extremely ready to start the next at the same time. I’ve been busy packing hospital bags, writing thank you notes, and putting the finishing touches on the nursery. I feel like there so much to do and so little time. Better get to work!!
I’ve read other blogs, and researched a lot of hospital bag ideas, so I thought i would share with y’all today what I have packed up so far…
(Outfits are based on Baby Boy, but there are many more color options for each wardrobe piece linked)
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
My Maternity Must-Haves
Hi Friends! I know I’ve been a little MIA lately on the blog, but hey we’ve got a baby to prepare for! I am writing this as I am getting a killer headache and a little dizzy, but I’m going to power through.
I am by no means an expert on the momma front, but I thought I would share some items that have kept me sane and on track these past 7 months. I don’t know what I would have done without your recommendations on Instagram.
Thank you!
Most of these products, I’ve used and lived by! I’m going to highlight my favorites.
Assets by Spanx Women's Micro Shaping Convertible Strap Slip - To smooth the bump
Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bars - the only thing I use to clean my face and take off make-up, and it’s safe!
Edible Cookie Dough - This comes in Nestle too and it’s perfectly dangerous when quenching your cravings. ;)
Lance Toast Chee Peanut Butter Crackers- So good to fight nausea. Can’t eat these without thinking about my hubs.
La Roche Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Oil Free Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion- I’ve worn this almost everyday when I know I’m going to be in the sun a lot. It’s gentle on my skin and feels amazing.
Vitamin C Face Serum- I use a Vitamin C Serum every night. It rightens, tightens, and helps my skin glow. It’s a miracle serum. The doctor says it’s safe!
Water Bottle with Motivational Time Marker- Because every time I go to the doctor, she tells me I need to drink more water. This is a fun way to monitor your drinking.
Slippers- I LOVE in these! They keep my feet from hurting when walking around the house. …I bet these will be in the hospital bag too.
Baby Bump Prenatal Speaker System- This has been a lifesaver to hear my baby’s heartbeat since we were not able to go to the doctor as much during the quarantine. It gives you great peace of mind.
Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter & Bio-Oil- What I’m currently using to prevent stretch marks. So far, it seems to be working great! No marks so far!
Olly Essential Prenatal Multivitamin - I’ve been taking these for months. They taste great and do not give me nausea. I just switched brands to Ritual. We’ll see how well I like them in a couple of weeks.
Auden Women's Laser Cut Cheeky Bikini - The most comfortable undies I can find for a growing belly!
Auden Women's Bliss Lightly Lined Wirefree Bra - Also the most comfortable bra! I have had to go up 3 sizes already! (Comes in nursing as well!)
Pregnancy Pillow- How have I not used this until the 7th month? It was a game-changer for sleep!
Long/Short Sleeve Nightgown Button Down Nightshirt- This sleep shirt from Amazon is SO dang comfortable. I plan to wear it at the hospital too!
Herbal Iron Tablets- I’ve been battling with keeping my iron up from the beginning. My doctor recommended these to go easy on my stomach. They seem to work better for me than regular iron.
Basic T-shirt Dress- I’ve been living in a T-shirt dress! I have one in every color. It’s comfortable on the bump. Dress it up or dress it down.
Bead Name Bracelet- Because you have to rep your baby’s name NOW! : ) These are only $10!
Nike Crew Shorts- Comfortable on the bump for athleisure wear.
Pregnancy Belt, Waistband Extender- So you can wear your regular shorts! YAY!
Women's Tulle Long Dress- I’m about to buy this for our Maternity Shoot.
Alrighty gals, I hope that was a little helpful if you are expecting. We have a 3D/4D/ HD Ultrasound Thursday at Sneak-A-Peak and we are SO excited to see our baby’s face for the first time. Hurry up September!
From my closest to yours, thanks for stopping by!
-Morrell
Floral Fun with Chicwish
in SPRING
I must admit I was a little afraid that I wouldn’t like the way most clothes fit after Baby B started showing a bit. (Hey that rhymes!) Thanks to my best gal at Chicwish, I’m covered with the most gorgeous floral midis, dresses, and skirts. Not only can I wear them now, but I have a great inclination that I’ll be wearing these pieces well after our baby is here. I felt so dreamy in this floral maxi. It’s extremely flowey and definitely worth the wait! I am wearing a small in the top and skirt.
From my closet, to yours.
-Morrell
Shop the Look
What's on my Baby Registry
in BABY
Happy Monday gals! I never thought I would see the day when I starting talking about babies on my blog, but here we are! My how things have changed, and I’m loving it!
When it comes to little babies, don’t take it from me… I know NOTHING about what babies need, but with the help of my amazing mom friends and followers, they have really hooked me up. I am learning so much already. Who knew babies need all this stuff!?
So take it from all my amazing mom friends out there, these are the most recommended products! Of course, I had to add some baby boy clothes here and there. If you are expecting, hopefully, you will find something here that you may have not have registered for yet. I hope these recommendations help you just like they did me!
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
100 Things to Do in Quarantine
in LIFESTYLE
Hazal Bay Photography
“Home is where the heart is ” has taken on a whole new meaning during these uncertain times. The COVID-19 Pandemic has us all taking extra precautions to keep others safe, like staying home and only leaving for things that are absolutely necessary.
For the past two weeks, I’ve been working from home. Let’s just say that sometimes this can be really frustrating.
Despite all of this happening in our world, I have found that keeping a positive mindset can go a long way in muddling through a difficult time.
Here are some things that have helped me keep a positive mindset:
Taking time to slow down and appreciate the time we have with our husbands, wives, and children.
Having a sense of gratitude. Being thankful for the many blessings that we already have. With gratitude comes happiness.
Keeping a routine. During my downtime, I’ve been getting things done around that house that I never had time for. It makes the day go by faster as well.
My daily routine brings me to a list that I’ve been checking off a little at a time. Hopefully, this will give you some ideas about how to keep busy (and positive) during a quarantine.
100 Things to do in Coronavirus Quarantine:
Organize your clothes closet. If it doesn’t bring you joy, send it to Thredup.com, or donate it.
Organize the pantry. Throw out outdated food
Organize the medicine cabinet. Dispose of medications correctly through police stations or doctors’ offices.
Clean and wipe down baseboards.
Sweep, mop, and shine your floors.
Deep clean your toilets, bathtubs and showers.
Dust your retire house, including tricky ceiling fans.
Sew back on buttons to shirts that have had them missing for a while. Looks like I need a sewing kit or a present mom in hand.
Redecorate that room you’ve always wanted to, of course with online shopping.
Paint a picture.
If you don’t already have them, hang curtains and blinds.
Catch up on laundry until the clothes basket is empty.
Cook a great 3-course meal for you and the family.
Try something new, like an online workout or Zumba class.
Online yoga.
Take time to stretch
Cut Grass.
Plant and pot beautiful flowers around your house.
Make a bouquet out of flowers from your yard.
Try your hand at making homemade southern biscuits.
Catch up on Netflix, obviously.
Decorate your dinner table.
Read a book, the Bible, or a devotional.
Make your bed every morning.
Organize your makeup drawer.
Clean out the fridge.
Write a story.
Write a book.
Start a blog.
Organize every drawer in your house, including kitchen drawers and clothes drawers.
If you really want to get in deep, organize and clean out the attic or garage.
Make an organic Juice.
Make a Smoothie.
Look up recipes and start making healthy breakfasts.
Take a long relaxing bubble bath with candles and wine of course.
Get up and dress up. I promise this makes a more productive day.
Plant a vegetable garden.
Start and complete a puzzle.
Start a journal.
Watch a movie with your favorite ice cream.
Coloring books! They aren’t just for kids. It’s pretty relaxing if you ask me.
Make a google photo book of the pictures from your camera roll.
Sit on your front porch, drink coffee, and watch the sunrise.
Do a hair mask
Try a new Facemask with your fave magazine.
Donate to your favorite small businesses, they’re struggling right now.
Rearrange your furniture.
Set up and decorate your new baby’s room.
Hang pictures on your walls that have been sitting there for months.
De-clutter, De-clutter, De-clutter!
Watch a sunset.
Start a skincare routine that you haven’t had time for in the past.
Go fishing in a neighbor’s pond.
Repaint a room.
Download the Calm app and listen to a story or a waterfall.
Read your horoscope.
Order a contactless delivery pizza.
Give yourself a Mani/Pedi.
Drink wine. LOTS OF WINE.
Take a personality quiz.
Start your wedding registry or baby registry. Mine is already done 26 weeks in advance. haha!
Start researching what it takes to start your own business.
Give yourself a makeover.
Try a new recipe.
Call your mom and dad, and grandparents.
Go on a walk or light jog.
Start a workout routine.
Watch old family videos and back them up.
Try a new savings plan or budget.
Get some sun in the backyard, or set up a waterslide.
Train your dog.
Mediate.
Pay all your bills.
Birdwatch. Set up a bird feeder or hummingbird feeder in the back yard. They are fun to watch.
Self Tanner.
Organize your jewelry box.
Clean your silver.
Start growing your own herbs for cooking.
If you don’t have a pool, get a baby pool and enjoy it.
Look at the stars and download the SkyView app
Attack the files on your computer and better organize them.
Back up your computer. That ISH took DAYS!
Create a list of things you want to get done for the day.
Online shopping! Need I say more?
Go on a safari. By this I mean watch the live cameras that many zoos have set up. The Cincinnati Zoo will be live-streaming animals on their Facebook page daily at 3 PM.
Film a TikTok.
Make a vision board for the next 10-20 years.
Design your own Converse here.
Chalk paint a piece of furniture for an instant update.
Start a wishlist on Amazon.
Whiten your teeth.
Catch up on emails.
Plan a trip for the future down to every last detail.
Try a musical instrument. You can learn anything from YouTube.
Start selling unwanted fashion on the Poshmark app.
Pick up a new hobby, like Golf?
Do something helpful for others and give back. Maybe grocery shop for an elderly friend?
Write a letter to your future self or children.
Finish your online class.
Be kind to yourself and most of all LOVE YOURSELF!
Well gals, I hope that was helpful or gave you some ideas of how to pass the time these next couple of weeks!
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
Oh Baby!
Oh baby! Our next greatest adventure will begin in September 2020!
Wow, it’s great to be back and what a journey this has been so far! If you follow me on social media, you know that I have been taking a leave of absence to work on my health from a car accident, but there was one more thing I haven’t been telling you…
WE’RE HAVING A BABY!
I found out about Baby B only two weeks prior to getting in a car accident in January. ( Lance only knew for two days before). Immediately after the wreck, Lance rushed me to the emergency room and there was no heartbeat. The nurse said it could just be because it was too early but that still didn’t ease our minds. I had to wait another agonizing week to hear the heartbeat... and when we finally heard that sound of life after the wreck... wow... I can’t describe the feeling. The relief!
The relief of the baby was there, but I was in a lot of pain. I haven’t been able to take anything for the pain because of pregnancy. On top of that, the pregnancy nausea and sickness have been outrageous! I’ve been taking it extremely easy at work, and I’ve taken a long time off from blogging for my health. It’s. been. hard…. REALLY HARD …
I’m still focusing on getting better and back to 100%. With a lot of pain in my back, shoulders, and neck, I’ve been to the orthopedics, had an MRI, and PT three times a week for a while. It’s been a wild ride, but I guessed our child would make a bang into this world, literally.
For now, I’ll be taking it easy and working on my Physical Therapy. I hope to soon be back at it, and giving you daily outfit inspo very soon.
Thanks to everyone that called and checked on me during this time! Through it all, we are very blessed.
Baby Baxter, we can’t wait to meet you on our birthday month!
See you in September!
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by.
-Morrell
Favorite Farmhouse Christmas Decor Shopping Guide
From my closet to yours, thanks for stopping by.
Merry Christmas!
-Morrell